Haridwar, July 2
In view of the gigantic magnitude the Haridwar Kanwar fair has assumed and to make sure that the millions of Kanwariyas complete their religious yatra peacefully, a high-level meeting of inter-state officials was held today. Stress during the meeting was on mutual cooperation, dissemination of information and round-the-clock contact among the state officials from today till the completion of the fair.

Administrative as well as police officials of the host state Uttarakhand, the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, National Capital Region, Punjab and Haryana participated in the meeting held at CCR tower here. With Kanwar fair scheduled to begin from the second week of this month Garhwal Commissioner Ajay Singh Nabiyal had called the meeting to ensure better coordination among the states through which the Kanwariyas pass.

Presiding over the meeting, Garhwal Commissioner Nabiyal stated that the number of kanwariyas touched a record high (nearly 92 lakh) last year. This year the number is bound to cross the 1-billion mark which would mean additional pressure on the Kanwar route, security and traffic particularly on highways which need extra force and better monitoring.

Deputy Inspector-General of Garhwal division Deepam Seth sought an effective coordination among the states on intelligence inputs, carrying on anti-sabotage operations, round-the-clock monitoring of kanwariyas and immediate information if any incident related with kanwariyas happen in any state.

Assuring full cooperation to the Uttarakhand government in the conduct of kanwar fair, ADG (NCR) KL Meena said the influx of kanwariyas coming from the NCR side will be monitored and regulated, making sure violation of law as well as inconvenience to common public could be minimised.

District magistrates, police captains of districts of Bijnore, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Haridwar and Dehradun were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Haridwar district police has started preparations for the Kanwar fair which will be going on for almost a fortnight.

Haridwar, July 2
Former national chief of the BJP Muppavarupu Venkaiah Naidu said here today that despite the fact that the economy of the country was agricultural-oriented, farmers were the most neglected lot. They were not only bearing the brunt of high rates of interest, but are also suffering due to low rates of the procurement of crops and a delay in getting relief aid. This had forced a large section of the farmers to migrate from villages to cities and opt for some other works, he added.

He was addressing a national convention of the executive committee of the BJP Kisan Morcha at Nishkam Sewa Trust Ashram.

He also held the Central Government “responsible” for the problems being faced by farmers and an increase in the rate of suicides by farmers. “The migration of farmers is a cause for concern and needs to be addressed at the earliest. More than 40 per cent of the farmers have left agriculture-related works. They are also not being provided with relief aid on time ,” said Naidu, who served as the BJP chief during the Vajpayee-led NDA government.

Citing a World Bank report, he said in India, only 32 per cent of the farmers opt for government-assisted loan while the rest of them rely on private companies to 
get loans.

Suggesting solutions to the problem, he said the better marketing of crops, low rates of interest, better marketing, cold-storage facilities, crop insurance and implementing the recommendations made by the Swaminathan Commission could help farmers a lot.

Having a dig at Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, he said: “Pawar seems to be more concerned about the Indian Premier League, but has a little time for people belonging to the BPL category.”

Among others who addressed today’s sessions were Satpal Malik, former Union minister, and Dinesh Rastogi . The convention will conclude tomorrow.

Haridwar, July 2
G D Keshwani from Jaipur is a social activist with a difference. Every day he goes through newspaper to scan Obituary column where condolences are put up for departed souls. Keshwani specially opens newspaper for this section only as he jots down the address of the aggrieved family. Despite not knowing them, he writes a condolence letter to the family.

The social activist has written 1.30-odd letters and postcards till date during the past two decades with replies too pouring in from the grieving family members.

Apart from sympathising via letters, Keshwani has also been doing noble work of immersing ashes brought from Rajasthan in holy Ganga.

In the past two-and-a-half years, Keshwani aided by his friend Hari Lal Deswani has brought here 2,150 ashes for immersion. The noble cause has fetched him entry into the Limca Book of Records twice - first in 2004 and then in 2007.

Acknowledging Keshwani’s immense social contribution, the Government of Rajasthan has felicitated him with the Bhama Shah Award twice in 1996 and 1998.

Sharing his experience on his visit to Haridwar where he had brought 35 ashes for immersion from Jaipur, the social activist said the satisfaction he gets from sharing the grief of the deceased families by writing and immersing ashes is beyond any explanation.

When asked when did the thought conceptualised, Keshwani reminisced: “It was May 21, 1991 when former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated which shocked everybody. But as his mother had also met a similar fate, I immediately wrote to Sonia Gandhi which was acknowledged. It was after incident that I decided to write to each of the bereaved family information about which could be found in newspaper”.

Did at any time he felt it’s enough, pat came the reply, “If the tears of the deceased family members can be lessened a bit by my unknown sympathetic letters or if someone’s soul gets peace by immersion in holy Ganga water, then I feel my efforts are just a little contribution in sympathising with the family concerned.” 

Nainital, July 2
Kumaon University has chalked out a plan that envisages the beginning of new courses in various streams over the next few years.

According to sources, the university is planning to start new courses while keeping in mind their employment potential. The university Vice-Chancellor, Dr VPS Arora, has been laying emphasis on making the curriculum profession-oriented.

At a meeting of the Executive Council organised at Academic Staff College on Friday, the issue of starting new courses was discussed at length. The courses that the university intents to introduce at the graduate and postgraduate levels are in the fields of fisheries, environment and atmospheric sciences. There is also a plan to introduce diploma courses in subjects like theatre, cinema and heritage music.

The Executive Council met again today to discuss some issues pertaining to the functioning of the university. Sources said the main issue that was discussed pertained to the controversy stirred by the resignation of a senior academician, Dr NS Bisht, earlier this year.

Questions have been raised over a research thesis submitted by Dr Bisht. The matter has also gone into the domain of politics with different parties raising it before the media. 

Dehradun, July 2
The Dehradun SSP, Ganesh Singh Martolia, feels that communication makes policing easy, but it’s often found missing.

“The police must hold talks with organisations on agitation. This can solve many problems beforehand,” says Martolia. Martolia had joined police force in 1984 as a DSP after completing his training from Moradabad Police Training College. He has also been awarded with the President’s Police Medal for his distinguished services.

He says that: “There are no set formulas in the job of the police. Decisions should be taken quickly according to problems.”

Martolia said even during peace, the police should hold meetings with different organisations.

He also favoured the traditional ways of policing. “The traditional ways of policing, including raids and patrolling, should be continued. It is the responsibility of a policeman to remain vigilant and reach the spot as soon as possible,” he adds.

Earlier, Martolia remained the SP (City) in Dehradun for three and a half years. He assumed the charge of the SSP in July last year.

“We have solved 80 per cent of theft and chain-snatching incidents. All land dispute cases, the major problem in the state capital, are referred to court. Whereas in matrimonial cases, we have united 50 per cent of the disputed couples,” Martolia claimed.

Regarding traffic woes in the city, the SSP said: “We have increased the strength of traffic policemen. Protests have also been banned at Gandhi Park. We have also got junctions removed at several places, which caused traffic problems.”

Martolia is a resident of Guler village in Bageshwar district. At present he, along with his family, lives in Haldwani. His wife, Hansa Martolia, is a homemaker while his daughter is preparing for the civil services. His son is doing BA LLB from Symbiosis University, Pune.

The SSP is also writing a these days, which is based on his experiences.